Cicero, NY - The Cicero Town Board unanimously approved a zone change Wednesday night that will allow more commercial shops to be built in front of the Wal-Mart SuperCenter on Route 11.

Three outparcels in front of the giant retailer had been zoned regional commercial, which would not allow the property owner, Seayco, to develop that land, Cicero Town Councilor Jim Corl Jr. said.

The board agreed to change the zoning to general commercial.

"The developer can now market the property and entice more businesses to open shops there," Corl said.

Seayco also helped bring Wal-Mart to Cicero in 2005.

The Seayco Group built the 53-acre Cicero Market shopping plaza -- featuring the Wal-Mart SuperCenter -- on the site of the former North Drive-In on Route 11.

In 2004, before the plaza was built, Seayco paid for about $1 million in improvements to Route 11 between Caughdenoy Road and Reis Drive. The improvements included widening the road from four to five lanes and installing a traffic light at Route 11 and Stevens Road.

During the zone change process earlier this year, some residents expressed concern about the future development of the three outparcels in front of Wal-Mart. Residents who live nearby worried about potential drainage problems. "The developer worked with the residents and eased their concerns," Corl said.

Wednesday night, no one spoke for or against the zone change, which takes effect immediately. The parcels, totaling a little more than 3 acres, is located on the east side of Route 11, between Lincoln Avenue and Stevens Drive.

"I think it's an appropriate use for the land," Corl said. "We obviously encourage further commercial development to help with the tax base in the town. I think it will provide more services to the people who live in Cicero."

The developer did not tell town board members or the public Wednesday what businesses might be interested in the properties.

Any business that wants to build on any of the outparcels must obtain a site plan approval from the Cicero Town Planning Board.